The world’s first trifold smartphone, Huawei’s Mate XT, hits global markets

The company has held a global launch event in Kuala Lumpur for its trifold smartphone, which was first released in China in September 2024.

According to Huawei, it’s the thinnest foldable smartphone at 3.6 millimeters (0.14 inches). And while it’s considered a three-fold device, the Mate XT is designed with three panels and can fold twice.

It’s been reported that the smartphone will be priced at $3,662 (or €3,499).

Despite being the first to release a smartphone with a three-fold design, the company has faced some obstacles since 2019, when US officials named the China-based company a security risk.

The US then restricted Huawei's access to components and certain services, making it more difficult for it to manufacture and sell smartphones to users. It also prohibited global vendors that use American technology from making components for Huawei.

However, this hasn’t stopped Huawei from winning the “race” to launch the first three-fold smartphone. Previously, it was speculated which one of the two smartphone manufacturers would do it first: either Samsung, which also specializes in foldable devices, or Huawei.

Because of the US restrictions, it's hard to tell how successful Huawei’s latest smartphone will be, especially with its premium price tag. We will wait and see.